INTRODUCTION

The REGIONS screen (Featured image) is one of the most interactive screens in IMPLAN. It's where you tell the software which regional economy your study will analyze by creating a Project and saving Regions inside it. This article is designed to a.) take you on a tour of the REGIONS screen and b.) provide helpful information about its composition and function along the way.

Featured image: the REGIONS screen

As you advance through this article you'll encounter links to other User's Guide articles and/or tutorials which may prove helpful in the event that you experience any complications during your analysis. If challenges persist, visit the ADDITIONAL RESOURCES section for a more extensive selection of supplementary content.

HOW TO GET THERE...

The most common route to the REGIONS screen is via the IMPLAN Dashboard. However, you may also reach it from the IMPACTS, RESULTS, or PROJECTS screen at various times throughout the course of your analysis. The details of each pathway to the REGIONS screen are described below.

1. From the IMPLAN Dashboard

To reach the REGIONS screen from the IMPLAN Dashboard, click REGIONS (see Fig. 1). To learn about the contents of the IMPLAN Dashboard, see Exploring the IMPLAN Dashboard.

Fig. 1

2. From the IMPACTS screen

If you're working inside a Project in IMPLAN, then to reach the REGIONS screen from the IMPACTS screen, click REGIONS (see Fig. 2) in the navigation bar along the top of it. To learn about the contents of the IMPACTS screen, see Exploring the IMPACTS Screen.

Fig. 2

3. From the RESULTS screen

If you're working inside a Project in IMPLAN, then to reach the REGIONS screen from the RESULTS screen, click REGIONS (see Fig. 3) in the navigation bar along the top of it. To learn about the contents of the RESULTS screen, see Navigating the RESULTS Screen.

Fig. 3

4. From the PROJECTS screen

To reach the REGIONS screen from the PROJECTS screen, click the map marker icon (see Fig. 4) in a given Project's listing.

Fig. 4

Doing so will enter into the given Project (see Fig. 4.a) and display its Region upon arriving at the REGIONS screen. To learn about the contents of the PROJECTS screen, see Exploring the PROJECTS Screen.

Fig. 4.a

COMPONENTS

The REGIONS screen is comprised of four primary components: the map tool, the Regions search bar, the view menu, and the Selected Regions section, as well as some other elements which are common to multiple or all screens in the software. The function and purpose of each are described below.

5. The map tool

The map tool (see Fig. 5) is an unlabeled element that occupies the bulk of the REGIONS screen. It’s represented by a large interactive map and serves as the primary means by which to locate and select geographies within the software.

Fig. 5

Its available geographies can be browsed by hovering over different parts of the map with your cursor. A geography appears gold on the map (see Fig. 5.a) when hovered over.

Fig. 5.a

When clicked, a geography appears dark blue on the map (see Fig. 5.b) to indicate that it’s been selected.

Fig. 5.b

6. The Regions search bar

The Regions search bar (see Fig. 6) is an unlabeled element located in the upper left corner of the REGIONS screen. It allows you to bypass the visual intricacies of the map tool and locate a specific geography instantly by entering its name into the empty search field and selecting it from the resulting dropdown list.

Fig. 6

When unpopulated, it says “Search State, County, or zipcode” (see Fig. 6.a), but clicking into it engages the search feature.

Fig. 6.a

7. The view menu

The view menu (see Fig. 7) is an unlabeled element located on the lower right side of the REGIONS screen. It allows you to modify the granularity with which geographies are displayed on the map.

Fig. 7

Clicking into it automatically opens the menu (see Fig. 7.a) and reveals its three possible settings: National View, State View, and County View.

Fig. 7.a

8. Selected Regions

The Selected Regions section (see Fig. 8) is located on the right side of the REGIONS screen. It has a light grey background and says “Selected Regions” at the top of it. It appears empty unless a geography has been selected.

Fig. 8

When a geography is selected, the section immediately populates with a sample of economic data from that geography (see Fig. 8.a).

Fig. 8.a

8.1 - Regions Overview

Clicking the i icon (see Fig. 8.1) in the upper right corner of a selected geography's data sample reveals the Regions Overview.

Data from the selected geography's Regions Overview can be sorted and delved into by clicking any of the options along the top of it (see 8.1.b).

Fig. 8.1.b

8.2 - CREATE IMPACT

The CREATE IMPACT button (see Fig. 8.2) appears beneath the contents of the Selected Regions section once a geography is selected. Clicking it instructs the software to both create a Project in IMPLAN and save the selected geography as a Region within that Project.

Fig. 8.2

9. "Additional Options"

To make the large number of editable fields and customizable settings in IMPLAN easy to navigate, there are multiple unlabeled “Additional Options” menus scattered throughout the software. One of them is located in the upper right corner of the Selected Regions section (see Fig. 9).

Fig. 9

9.1 - Combine Regions

The Combine Regions option (see Fig. 9.1) appears in the opened “Additional Options” menu. Clicking it instructs the software to merge any selected geographies into one single Region. Mathematically, doing so aggregates the economic data from any selected geographies to represent one single economy.

Fig. 9.1

10. "Home"

The "Home" link (see Fig. 10) is an unlabeled element that appears on every screen in IMPLAN. It's represented by an IMPLAN logo on the left side of the navigation bar along the top of each screen. Clicking it brings you to the IMPLAN Dashboard, unless you're already at the IMPLAN Dashboard. Clicking it from the IMPLAN Dashboard results in no action.

Fig. 10

11. The screen name

The name of the screen (see Fig. 11) appears in the navigation bar along the top of the REGIONS screen. It's located to the right of the "Home" link and says "REGIONS". The screen name is merely a label and is neither an active link nor button. Clicking it results in no action.

Fig. 11

12. "Profile"

The "Profile" button (see Fig. 12) is an unlabeled element that appears on every screen in IMPLAN. It's represented by your own name and a customizable thumbnail image on the right side of the navigation bar along the top of each screen.

Fig. 12

Clicking it reveals the Sign Out button (see Fig. 12.a), which allows you to exit the software.

Fig. 12.a

That completes the tour of the REGIONS screen!

END OF COMPONENTS

WHAT NEXT?

IMPLAN is designed to allow for economic analyses to be launched or resumed from multiple points of entry. So, you can choose to start or continue your studies from whichever stage best fits your needs. Your process doesn't have to be linear! However, if you're brand new to IMPLAN and need some guidance, or would just prefer some professional advice, we're happy to offer our suggestion about what to do next.

WHAT WOULD IMPLAN DO?

If you're performing your very first impact analysis, then after becoming familiar with the REGIONS screen, we suggest advancing to the IMPACTS screen. The IMPACTS screen is where you tell IMPLAN the details about your study's real-life impact by creating Events and Groups in the software.

Feel like creating an Event or Group is the right "next step" for your study? Great! The resources below will a.) help you become comfortable maneuvering the IMPACTS screen and b.) guide you through the process of actually creating an Event or Group step-by-step.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Some analysts find that altering their process to conform to a traditional workflow isn't the best choice for their study. In these instances, carry out analyses in a nontraditional order better fits their needs. Thanks to IMPLAN's unrestricted versatility, it can accommodate even the most challenging procedural demands or preferences. Below are some additional resources which may prove helpful when formulating a personalized itinerary for your study.